Taste of Love - By Stephanie Nicole Page 0,37

I love making music, but I'm sick of the parties, and especially girls, drawn like bees to the fame and fortune. I know you're not a groupie, and I'd never label you as one."

"It's alright. I probably better go anyway," Madison told him, saddened by the tone of their discussion.

"Wait, don't go yet," he pleaded. "I miss talking to you. I'm sorry if what I said hurt you. Just a little longer?"

"My clothes are almost done, but I guess I can talk for a few more minutes," she relented.

"So, you haven't answered me. Do you miss me yet?"

"Yeah, a little, but don't read anything into it," she warned.

He pressed on. "Yeah right, I know you love me. I can't wait for the day when you realize it."

"It's not going to happen. Even if I had feelings for you, nothing would come of it. It wouldn't work between us. We're too different, and would end up hurting each other," she told him honestly.

"You say that now," he told her, leaving it open ended, like a promise for the future.

The dryer next to Madison buzzed. "I have to go now Cameron. My clothes are done, and I have to fold them before they wrinkle."

"Ah, my domestic goddess," he laughed. "Ok, I'll let you go, but I'm going to call you again soon."

"I'm not going to hold my breath. Get some sleep. I don't like you looking like hell in those pictures I see."

"Yes ma'am." He paused. "Good night Madison. I miss you."

She smiled. "Pleasant dreams," she replied, before hanging up and closing her phone. She missed him too, more than she wanted to admit.

Chapter Eleven

Work seemed to consume Madison, and she was getting less and less sleep because of it. They had decided to change their hours, now closing an hour later to accommodate the increase in business. She was also losing weight from being on the go all the time.

Her nights out with Thomas had become less frequent, much to Sasha's dismay, and much to Bunny's joy. They still came to the restaurant often, and Madison would sit and talk to them for a few minutes each time.

On one of their normal nights, Madison was getting ready to tour the dining room, when Bunny peeked into the kitchen. She looked around and spotted Madison giving instructions to her chefs as she untied her apron. Seeing some of her staff looking to the door, Madison shifted her eyes in that direction. Bunny waved at her.

Madison's face lit up. "Bunny, I was just coming out to see if you and Sasha were here," she smiled, walking to the door.

Bunny stepped in, a look of uncertainty on her face. "I was wondering if I could talk to you in private for a moment?"

Madison frowned. This was odd. "Sure, let's go to my office." Madison put her hand on the older lady's back and led her down the hall. Once they were seated with the door shut, Madison tilted her head in concern. "Is there something wrong Bunny?"

"I was hoping that you could tell me that," she replied. Bunny reached out and put her hands over Madison's. "Are you doing well?"

Madison was taken back. Since her parents were no longer alive, she hadn't had a mother figure in her life for quite some time, and Bunny's concern made her feel like she had a motherly presence in her life again. Tears prickled her eyes as she looked at the care written on Bunny's face.

"Thank you so much for your concern Bunny, but I am fine. I've just been working a lot of hours, and haven't had much time to myself lately," she said, trying to reassure not only Bunny, but herself as well. It wasn't just the restaurant and chores that kept her up at night; it was her thoughts of Cameron, too. The pictures in the tabloids were disturbing to her, in each new one she saw, he looked worse and worse.

"Well, my dear, you need to promise me that you will start taking better care of yourself." The older woman smiled, though worry still showed in her eyes. "If there is anything I can ever do for you, please don't hesitate to ask. Maybe we can take a girl's day out and go shopping or something."

"That sounds wonderful, Bunny. As soon as things slow down here, I will definitely take you up on that offer." Madison stood. As much as she wanted to ask Bunny about Cameron, she just couldn't do it. "We